AMA BACKS PRESCRIBING CANNABIS

MARIJUANA would be prescribed by doctors in South Australia for
medicinal purposes under planned legislation.

Democrats MP Sandra Kanck today said legislation was being drafted to
allow the practice.

Australian Medical Association state president Chris Cain said he
supported to move but only if the doses were in a standardised form.

"The active agents need to be separated in standardised doses and
prescribed in a more conventional manner," he said.

Opposition health spokeswoman Vickie Chapman said she would not
support the legislation.

Family First MLC Dennis Hood condemned the move, describing it as
"political malpractice".

"No one listens to the Democrats, which is reflected in the results
at recent elections, and this policy is another example of why no one
is listening to them," he said.

Substance Abuse Minister Gail Gago said the government would not
support the Bill.

"I have not seen Sandra Kanck's Bill, but I wouldn't support her
proposal at this time," she said.

"The harmful effects of cannabis far outweigh the known therapeutic benefits.

"The evidence is currently not available for the state government to
support this as a policy direction."